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Ranked Among the Highest Purchase Volumes



For U.S. Visa® and Mastercard Commercial Card Issuers

DENVER, Aug. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Citywide Banks, a member of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLF) that operates under the brand name HTLF, continues to display consistent strength in the payments space. Nilson Report ranked HTLF among the top U.S. commercial credit card issuers for the sixth year in a row.

In 2020, HTLF’s commercial credit card program ranked among the top 40 purchasing card programs with over $548 million in purchase volume, a 21 percent increase from the previous year and the fourth highest growth overall for purchasing cards.

Nilson Report’s ranking reflects HTLF’s innovative approach to digital technology products and providing excellent customer experiences. HTLF invested in a team of industry experts to help educate clients on the value of Electronic Accounts Payable (EAP), increasing their purchasing portfolio by 21 percent year over year.

“We continue to be focused on delivering tools to help businesses grow. Now more than ever, Citywide Banks understands the importance of a strong payables strategy. We provide financial tools to help companies reduce operating costs, increase fraud protection and adopt streamlined payment processes,” said Michael Wamsganz, Citywide Banks President and CEO.

“Last year, we introduced our Integrated Payables solution, which is one platform to process check, ACH and credit card payments. This year we are excited to offer new solutions such as contactless cards and Visa Commercial Pay. With the electronic payment method rapidly becoming more common, we are helping clients better manage cash flow, negotiate favorable terms, protect against fraud and have a more effective payments process overall.”

2021 has been a significant year for HTLF and its banks. The company rebranded in the spring to reinforce the strength, insight and growth they bring to their customers, communities, employees and investors. Additionally, HTLF was recognized by Forbes as one of the best banks in America for the fifth year in a row.

For 50 years, Nilson Report has been a respected source of payments industry news and market insight. Nilson analyzes and reports on the performance of hundreds of credit, debit and prepaid card issuers, transaction acquirers and technology vendors with an unbiased perspective. 

About Citywide Banks

Citywide Banks, a subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. operating under the brand name HTLF, is a state-chartered, community-invested bank with more than $2.6 billion in assets and banking centers located across Colorado’s Front Range, Foothills and Mountain communities. Citywide Banks is committed to delivering responsive service, local expertise, and comprehensive financial tools for Colorado businesses and families. For more than 50 years, Citywide Banks has been dedicated to finding ways to impact the local community and move Colorado forward. Citywide Banks is a member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. Visit www.citywidebanks.com to learn more.

About Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

Heartland Financial USA, Inc., operating under the brand name HTLF, is a financial services company with assets of approximately $18.4 billion. HTLF’s banks serve communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Texas and Wisconsin. HTLF is committed to its core commercial business, supported by a strong retail operation, and provides a diversified line of financial services including treasury management, residential mortgage, wealth management, investment and insurance. Additional information is available at htlf.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release, and future oral and written statements of Heartland and its management, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Heartland’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. Although these forward-looking statements are based upon the beliefs, expectations and assumptions of Heartland’s management, there are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of management to control or predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. These factors, which are detailed in the risk factors included in Heartland’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, include, among others: (i) the strength of the local and national economy; (ii) the economic impact of past and any future terrorist threats and attacks and any acts of war, (iii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business; (iv) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets; (v) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (vi) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (vii) the loss of key executives or employees; (viii) changes in consumer spending; (ix) unexpected results of acquisitions; (x) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; and (xi) changes in accounting policies and practices. All statements in this release, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and Heartland undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

CONTACT:                        
Steve Ebner
Regional Marketing Officer
303.880.3405
[email protected] 

Ranked Among the Highest Purchase Volumes For U.S. Visa^® and Mastercard Commercial Card Issuers

PHOENIX, Aug. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arizona Bank & Trust, a member of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLF) that operates under the brand name HTLF, continues to display consistent strength in the payments space. Nilson Report ranked HTLF among the top U.S. commercial credit card issuers for the sixth year in a row.

In 2020, HTLF’s commercial credit card program ranked among the top 40 purchasing card programs with over $548 million in purchase volume, a 21 percent increase from the previous year and the fourth highest growth overall for purchasing cards.

Nilson Report’s ranking reflects HTLF’s innovative approach to digital technology products and providing excellent customer experiences. HTLF invested in a team of industry experts to help educate clients on the value of Electronic Accounts Payable (EAP), increasing their purchasing portfolio by 21 percent year over year.

“Now more than ever Arizona Bank & Trust understands the importance of getting back to business. With a strong payments strategy that includes electronic payments, companies can reduce operating costs, increase fraud protection and provide more streamlined payment processes,” said Bill Callahan, Arizona Bank & Trust’s President and CEO.

“Last year, we introduced our Integrated Payables solution, which is one platform to process check, ACH and credit card payments. This year we are excited to offer new solutions such as contactless cards and Visa Commercial Pay. With the electronic payment method rapidly becoming more common, we are helping clients better manage cash flow, negotiate favorable terms, protect against fraud and have a more effective payments process overall.”

2021 has been a significant year for HTLF and its banks. The company rebranded in the spring to reinforce the strength, insight and growth they bring to their customers, communities, employees and investors. Additionally, HTLF was recognized by Forbes as one of the best banks in America for the fifth year in a row.

For 50 years, Nilson Report has been a respected source of payments industry news and market insight. Nilson analyzes and reports on the performance of hundreds of credit, debit and prepaid card issuers, transaction acquirers and technology vendors with an unbiased perspective. 

About Arizona Bank & Trust

Arizona Bank & Trust, a subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, Inc., operating under the brand name HTLF, is a state-chartered bank with more than $1.7 billion in assets and offices in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Arizona Bank & Trust provides an array of products and services to fulfill the financial needs of individuals and businesses, specializing in business lending and deposit services, and provides a wide variety of personal credit and deposit services along with complete electronic banking programs. Visit www.arizbank.com for more information. Arizona Bank & Trust is a Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

About Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

Heartland Financial USA, Inc., operating under the brand name HTLF, is a financial services company with assets of approximately $18.4 billion. HTLF’s banks serve communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Texas and Wisconsin. HTLF is committed to its core commercial business, supported by a strong retail operation, and provides a diversified line of financial services including treasury management, residential mortgage, wealth management, investment and insurance. Additional information is available at htlf.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release, and future oral and written statements of Heartland and its management, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Heartland’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. Although these forward-looking statements are based upon the beliefs, expectations and assumptions of Heartland’s management, there are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of management to control or predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. These factors, which are detailed in the risk factors included in Heartland’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, include, among others: (i) the strength of the local and national economy; (ii) the economic impact of past and any future terrorist threats and attacks and any acts of war, (iii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business; (iv) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets; (v) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (vi) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (vii) the loss of key executives or employees; (viii) changes in consumer spending; (ix) unexpected results of acquisitions; (x) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; and (xi) changes in accounting policies and practices. All statements in this release, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and Heartland undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

CONTACT:

Patrisha Gonzales
Marketing Specialist
602.381.2089
[email protected]

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (“SYKES” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SYKE), a leading full life cycle provider of global customer experience management services, multichannel demand generation and digital transformation, announced that the required waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR Act) regarding the all-cash acquisition by Sitel Group^® expired at 11:59 PM ET on August 9, 2021. The proposed transaction has received antitrust clearance in other key foreign jurisdictions. The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2021, remains subject to certain closing conditions, including the approval of SYKES’ shareholders at its Special Meeting, which is scheduled for August 24, 2021 at 8 AM ET at the Rivergate Tower, 400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 320, 3rd Floor, Conference Room A, Tampa, FL 33602. Upon the closing of the transaction, which was approved unanimously by the Company’s Board of Directors, SYKES will become a privately-held company and its shares will cease trading on Nasdaq.

About Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and consolidated subsidiaries (“SYKES” or the “Company”) is a leading full lifecycle provider of global customer experience management services, multichannel demand generation and digital transformation. SYKES provides differentiated full lifecycle customer experience management solutions and services primarily to Global 2000 companies and their end customers principally in the financial services, technology, communications, transportation & leisure and healthcare industries. The Company’s differentiated full lifecycle services platform effectively engages customers at every touchpoint within the customer journey, including digital media and acquisition, sales expertise, customer service, technical support and retention, many of which can be optimized through a suite of digital transformation capabilities under its SYKES Digital Services (“SDS”) group, which spans robotic process automation (“RPA”), self-service, insight analytics and digital learning. In addition to digital transformation, SYKES also provides artificial intelligence (“AI”) solutions that can be embedded and leveraged across its lifecycle offerings. The Company serves its clients through two geographic operating regions: the Americas (United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia and the Asia Pacific Rim) and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa). The Company’s Americas and EMEA regions primarily provide customer management solutions and services with an emphasis on inbound multichannel demand generation, customer service and technical support to its clients’ customers. These services are delivered through multiple communication channels including phone, e-mail, social media, text messaging, chat and digital self-service. The Company also provides various enterprise support services in the United States that include services for its clients’ internal support operations, from technical staffing services to outsourced corporate help desk services. In Europe, the Company also provide fulfillment services, which include order processing, payment processing, inventory control, product delivery and product returns handling. Additionally, through the Company’s acquisition of RPA provider Symphony Ventures Ltd (“Symphony”) coupled with its investment in AI through XSell Technologies, Inc. (“XSell”), the Company also provides a suite of digital transformation capabilities that optimizes its differentiated full lifecycle management services platform. The Company’s complete service offering helps its clients acquire, retain and increase the lifetime value of their customer relationships. The Company has developed an extensive global reach with customer experience management centers across six continents, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. The Company delivers cost-effective solutions that generate demand, enhance the customer service experience, promote stronger brand loyalty, and bring about high levels of performance and profitability. For additional information please visit www.sykes.com.

About Sitel Group

^®


As a leading global provider of customer experience (CX) products and solutions, Sitel Group^® empowers brands to build stronger relationships with their customers by creating meaningful connections that boost brand value. Inspired by each brands’ unique vision and goals, we ask “what if?” applying our expertise to create innovative solutions that reduce customer effort. With 100,000 people around the globe – working from home or from one of our CX hubs – we securely connect best-loved brands with their customers over 4.5 million times every day in 50+ languages. Whether digital or voice-based, our solutions deliver a competitive edge across all customer touchpoints. Our award-winning culture is built on 35+ years of industry-leading experience and commitment to improving the employee experience. EXP+™ from Sitel Group is a flexible solution with complete cloud capability, designed to simplify the delivery of end-to-end CX services, while boosting efficiency, effectiveness and customer satisfaction. EXP+ creates a robust ecosystem by harnessing the power of four connected product families: Empower, Engage, Explore and Evolve. Learn more at www.sitel.com and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Additional Information Regarding the Merger and Where to Find It

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (the “Company”) or the solicitation of any vote or approval. This communication relates to the proposed merger involving the Company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sitel Group (the “proposed merger”). The proposed merger will be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for their consideration at a special meeting of the shareholders. In connection therewith, the Company intends to file relevant materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “definitive proxy statement”), which will be mailed or otherwise disseminated to the Company’s shareholders when it becomes available. The Company may also file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed merger. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER. Shareholders may obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement, any amendments or supplements thereto and other documents containing important information about the Company, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Free copies of the definitive proxy statement and any other documents filed with the SEC can also be obtained on the Company’s website at https://investor.sykes.com/company/investors/investor-relations-home/default.aspx or by contacting the Company’s Investor Relations Department at [email protected].

Certain Information Regarding Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and certain of its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed merger. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021, and its definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders, filed with the SEC on April 16, 2021, as modified or supplemented by any Form 3 or Form 4 filed with the SEC since the date of such definitive proxy statement. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed merger, if and when they become available. Free copies of these materials may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this Communication constitutes “forward-looking statements.” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to, statements regarding possible or assumed future results of operations of SYKES, the expected completion and timing of the proposed merger and other information relating to the proposed merger. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “forecasts,” “should,” “estimates,” “contemplate,” “future,” “goal,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “projection,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “assuming” and other words or expressions of similar meaning or import are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statement are inherently uncertain, and shareholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from SYKES’ expectations as a result of a variety of factors. Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which SYKES is unable to predict or control and which may cause SYKES’ actual results, performance, or plans to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements in relation to the proposed merger. SYKES disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements and as it relates to the proposed merger include, but are not limited to:

• the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, including those circumstances in which the Company would be required to pay a termination fee;
• the failure of the parties to satisfy conditions precedent to the completion of the proposed merger, including the failure to obtain the requires approvals of SYKES’ shareholders for the proposed merger or the transaction parties’ failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals;
• the later existence of any unanticipated difficulties or expenses related to the proposed merger, including the disruption of any existing plans or any impact on employee retention following the announcement of the proposed merger;
• the risk that regulatory or other approvals are delayed or are subject to terms and conditions not otherwise anticipated, or that the proposed merger may not be otherwise completed in a timely manner or at all;
• the impact of any response to the announcement and pendency of the merger by customers, business partners, service providers or other government regulators;
• the commencement and/or impact of any legal proceedings or the entry of any judgments or settlements, including any lawsuits that may be filed against the Company, its board of directors, executive officers or other individuals following the announcement of the proposed merger; and
• and the risks, uncertainties, and other factors detailed from time to time in SYKES’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed or furnished with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SYKES assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this communication.

SYKES investor contact:

Subhaash Kumar
Sykes Enterprises, Inc.
(813) 233-7143
[email protected]

SYKES media contact:

Jesse Himsworth
Sykes Enterprises, Inc.
(801) 874-9390
[email protected]

Golar LNG Limited (the “Company”) advises that the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Company was held on August 10, 2021 at 09:00 ADT at 2^nd Floor, The S.E. Pearman Building, 9 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda.  The audited consolidated financial statements for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 were presented at the Meeting.

The following resolutions were passed:

1) To re-elect Tor Olav Trøim as a Director of the Company.
2) To re-elect Daniel Rabun as a Director of the Company.
3) To re-elect Thorleif Egeli as a Director of the Company.
4) To re-elect Carl Steen as a Director of the Company.
5) To re-elect Niels G. Stolt-Nielsen as a Director of the Company.
6) To re-elect Lori Wheeler-Naess as a Director of the Company.
7) To re-elect Georgina E. Sousa as a Director of the Company.
8) To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP of London, England as auditors and to authorize the Directors to determine their remuneration.
9) To approve remuneration of the Company’s Board of Directors of a total amount of fees not to exceed US$1,750,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Hamilton, Bermuda
August 10, 2021

ATLANTA, Aug. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Atlantic American Corporation (Nasdaq- AAME) today reported net income for the three month period ended June 30, 2021 of $3.0 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $6.5 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2020. For the six month period ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported net income of $2.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, as compared to net loss of $1.6 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2020. The decrease in net income during the second quarter of 2021 was primarily due to a $4.5 million increase in life and health insurance benefits and losses incurred. Such increase was largely the result of higher utilization of policy benefits as compared to the unusually low levels experienced in 2020 during the COVID-19 shelter in place restrictions imposed on our policyholders. The increase in net income for the six month period ended June 30, 2021 was primarily due to $4.7 million of net unrealized gains on equity securities as compared to $7.1 million of unrealized losses on equity securities during the comparable period in 2020. Changes in unrealized gains and losses on equity securities for the applicable periods are primarily the result of fluctuations in the market values of the Company’s equity investments.

Operating income (as defined below) decreased $7.2 million in the three month period ended June 30, 2021 from the three month period ended June 30, 2020. For the six month period ended June 30, 2021, operating income decreased $6.6 million from the comparable period in 2020. The decrease in operating income for the three and six month periods was primarily due to less favorable loss experience in the life and health operations, resulting from a significant increase in the number of incurred claims within the Medicare supplement line of business, as mentioned above.

Commenting on the results, Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are extremely pleased with the new premium growth this year in our property and casualty operations. Despite the challenges faced over the most recent year related to the COVID-19 pandemic, that business has prospered exceedingly well. We continue to refine the underwriting on our Medicare supplement business and have made targeted investments in the life and health operations to better serve the needs of our customers. The second half of the year is when the majority of enrollment periods begin in both the individual and group markets, which we believe we are well positioned to serve. We anticipate a strong finish for the balance of this year.”

Atlantic American Corporation is an insurance holding company involved through its subsidiary companies in specialty markets of the life, health, and property and casualty insurance industries. Its principal insurance subsidiaries are American Southern Insurance Company, American Safety Insurance Company, Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company and Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company.

Note regarding non-GAAP financial measure: Atlantic American Corporation presents its consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, from time to time, the Company may present, in its public statements, press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, non-GAAP financial measures such as operating income (loss). Management believes operating income (loss) is a useful metric for investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others because it isolates the “core” operating results of the Company before considering certain items that are either beyond the control of management (such as income tax expense, which is subject to timing, regulatory and rate changes depending on the timing of the associated revenues and expenses) or are not expected to regularly impact the Company’s operating results (such as any realized and unrealized investment gains (losses), which are not a part of the Company’s primary operations and are, to a limited extent, subject to discretion in terms of timing of realization). The financial data attached includes a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to net income (loss), the most comparable GAAP financial measure. The Company’s definition of operating income (loss) may differ from similarly titled financial measures used by others. This non-GAAP financial measure should be considered supplemental to, and not a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Note regarding Private Securities Litigation Reform Act: Except for historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors and risks detailed from time to time in statements and reports that Atlantic American Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Atlantic American Corporation

Financial Data